Year End Mini Reviews

There is a running joke in my house around “What did Daddy get in the mail today?”

The truth is that I love trying out new things. Doesn’t matter what it is, I want to try it. Keeps life interesting and exciting.

But, while I put my address on my contact page and let agencies and brands know that I’m open to receiving pitches, press trips and items for review, I can’t promise that I’ll actually get around to reviewing them because that isn’t what I do.

Talk to anyone though and they will tell you that I’m very open sharing about the good and the bad about what shows up in my mailbox (or my doorstep).

Today, I wanted to share some of those thoughts on a variety of different things that I’ve used over the course of the year. All of these items were either loaned or given to me in the hopes that I would share my thoughts. For disclosure purposes I have to say that. but of course all of these are my own thoughts.

Shown above in my front yard last week, this is a thing of beauty. I’ve always wanted a leather briefcase that would last me forever and I found it.

My first impression was that it was too stiff. The quality of leather they use is so high quality that it takes years to properly break it in. My friend who sent me the bag mentioned that the owner always jokes that their bags look the worst on their first day and get better every day after that.

I refer to this as my writers bag because it can’t hold too much. My laptop, tablet, notebooks and a few other things fit. I love that it has an outside pocket to slip a magazine or two in. I use it for day trips or when I need to escape somewhere for a short time. There is no room for clothes or anything more so I could never use it as an overnight and is why I have my eye on one of their new carbon front pocket model.

As a podcaster I’m always looking for the easiest way to record my thoughts, interviews and more on the go.

This device can handle all of that and more. Honestly it has more power than I needed and as I told them before they sent it to me, I didn’t think I wanted a separate device for recording. In the end I gave it to my father-in-law who mentioned he was looking for something to record the concerts that happen in their neighborhood. He loves it.

Right now, I’m a very happy iPhone 4s customer who is actively thinking of what to upgrade to next.

Both of these phones are impressive in their own right, but both had something that keeps me from upgrading to them.

The Moto X showed me just how awesome Android is. I use all of Google’s apps to power my life so having them all right there on the phone was amazing. Being able to customize this phone to be in my signature black and red was a neat option. The battery life is great and the screen is beautiful. The camera sadly is not as good as the iPhone and that is very important to me. Also, the shape of the phone is unlike anything else out there and I hope others will take note.

The Nokia Lumia covers the need for an amazing camera hands down. It isn’t the newest model which has been getting all the praise and even then I was impressed. The problem for me is that I can’t get use to the Windows OS that is on it. I’m sure if you are a Windows 8 person you’d love it because it looks just like your other devices, but for me this was a deal breaker. Everything else about this device is stylish and top notch.

I’m a big fan of RøDE products. I own one of the Video Mic Pros for when I’m out shooting video and it is a great product.

This new microphone plugs directly into my iPhone and gives studio quality performance on the go. It is small enough to put in my pocket and yet packs a huge punch.

I’ve also recently received their new Video Mic GO and it is the best entry level shotgun microphone I’ve ever used. The new shock mounts are something that I hope they roll out in all of their products because it is step up.

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I know there has been other items that I’m forgetting about, but I feel better getting these ones up in the hopes that it helps you make some purchasing decisions and as a thank you to the brands who sent them to me.

Who knows what will show up in 2014. I know my kids will be eager to see.

Photographer

If I had to choose a style, I’d say my photos are a mix of documentary, travel and lifestyle photography. While I may not enjoy taking head shots, I love to shoot faces. I rarely go anywhere without a camera in my hand and I’ve been fortunate to see my photos on the pages of Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal.

I’m currently shooting with a Canon 80D, an iPhone 7+ and a Chroma 4k Drone.

Marketing Consultant

With over twenty years of marketing, online media and community building experience I have the skills and experience to help your organization no matter the size. Previous clients have included The Coca-Cola Company, American Eagle Outfitters and HBO.

I focus on social good/impact marketing, content marketing and brand strategy. My favorite clients are NGOs, nonprofits or brands looking to make a difference in the world.

Keynote Speaker

I’m happiest when on stage educating and inspiring an audience of any size, anywhere in the world.

I have spoken at everything from large international events, corporate retreats and at special gatherings of unique individuals. If you need someone who will inspire, educate and entertain your audience I’d love to chat.

Advocate & Volunteer

I believe in using my skills, time and voice to champion causes that are important to me. I’m especially interested in anything military, dogs or children focused.

Teacher

On top of all that I’m a proud life long New Englander who was born and raised in New Hampshire, but now resides outside of Boston.

I married my high school sweetheart, have two amazing kids and love being a dad.

I’ve been online since 1989, began blogging in 2002 and podcasting in 2004.

Previous endeavors I created include Accident Hash, Passion Hit TV, Digital Dads and The Advance Guard.

Tattoos, travel and the outdoors turn me on. There are fewer things more perfect than a well-done cocktail, a delicious meal or live art of any sort. I love my GORUCK, Field Notes and am a proud Misfit.

To understand me is to understand that I try to live a purposeful life every day that is full of adventure, love and making the world around me a better place for all.

Official Bio

C.C. Chapman describes himself as a New England raised storyteller, explorer, and humanitarian. Others have described him as a thought leader in the online marketing space, a grounded futurist and one the nicest guy on the Internet. Over the years of his career, he has worked with a variety of clients including Nike, HBO, American Eagle Outfitters, ONE, Verizon FiOS and The Coca-Cola Company.

He is the co-author of the International bestseller Content Rules and is also the author of Amazing Things Will Happen. He travels the world speaking in front of audiences to do more in the world and how to understand content marketing better. C.C. has taught classes for Lynda.com, CreativeLive and now as an adjunct professor at Bentley University (where he also graduated from).

C.C. is an advocate who speaks about building passionate communities and the strategic values of content-based marketing. He is a Samsung Imagelogger, the original ONE Dad and a UN Foundation Social Good Fellow. As a storyteller for hire, his work has appeared on the pages of Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal.

C.C. serves as the Chairman of the Board at Wediko and serves on the board of The Hockey Foundation. He happily lives in the woods outside of Boston with his loving family. Find out more at CC-Chapman.com

Fun Bio

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more multi-faceted or enthusiastic creative/strategic partner in the marketing and content creation fields. This greatly hails from C.C.’s unstoppable combination of marketing experience and savvy (which a great many professionals claim to have), and incalculably valuable “on the ground” knowledge and insight as an influential content creator himself (which a great many professionals do not). The result is a best-of-both-worlds mashup of marketing expertise.

C.C. Chapman sports the pro cred to be a talker (working closely with such clients as American Eagle Outfitters, Coca-Cola, HBO and Warner Bros.), and the passion and gumption to be a doer (creating content for the emerging Online Dad market, marketing professionals, music fans and more). He’s helped create, manage and execute ambitious online and offline marketing campaigns for startups and multinationals — and has the invaluable good sense to know which outreach strategies work with audiences, and which ones fall flat.

He authoritatively speaks your language. He speaks your CMO’s language. Most important, he’s fluent in your market’s language. It’s a killer double-chocolate-and-peanut-butter combination. Contact C.C. to learn how he can help your organization achieve its business goals. There’s, even more, to know about C.C. Chapman if you want to read it — and you should. C.C.’s skills are an embarrassment of riches.

Head Shots

DISCLOSURES

I’m involved with a lot of organizations and clients. I believe in being completely transparent and open about everything I’m working on. I’ll do my best to keep this updated and of course, will clearly disclose relationships in any post that require them.

I am open to being pitched and invited on press trips.

Companies do send me items in the hopes that I will review it or share with my community. If you send me something it does not guarantee a review.

With that in mind, my mailing address is:

9 C Medway Road #117 Milford, MA 01757

Current relationships include:

Verizon FiOS provides me with service in exchange for a monthly post on technology of my choosing

Affiliate links are used whenever they are available when linking to products of any sort.